There's no evidence executions make society any safer
Letters to the EditorPublished November 28, 2005
Re: The death penalty's fatal flaws, editorial, Nov. 23.
The upcoming 1,000th execution since the states began to kill again in 1977 gives us pause to take a good look at our imperfect and expensive death penalty system. Since 1973, we have exonerated 122 people off our death rows due to evidence of wrongful convictions. Florida has exonerated more than 20.
As in the Ruben Cantu case, evidence is growing that innocent people have been executed. In Florida we have the alternative of life without the possibility of parole. When a mistake is made, we can at least give the wrongfully convicted some of their life back. Once we kill them, it is too late. There is no "instant replay rule" for executions.
There is absolutely no proof whatsoever that killing a few already locked-up prisoners makes us any safer. What message do we send when we legitimize and praise the virtue of unnecessary killing out of anger and revenge?
We Floridians spend millions of dollars every year over and above the cost of permanent incarceration just to perpetuate our hugely expensive death penalty system. We contract and pay dearly for these few state killings. This money would be much better spent on providing real help and assistance to murder victims' families. These millions could also provide for more law-enforcement officers and other proven crime-prevention resources that would truly make us, our families and our communities safer without the risk of executing an innocent person.
-- Mark Elliott, Clearwater
Death penalty raises many questions
Re: Death penalty's fatal flaws, Nov. 23.
Your editorial regarding the death sentence and subsequent execution in Texas of Ruben Cantu, who was a teenager when convicted, certainly should provoke serious thought in the minds of those who claim to support execution.
Many years ago, I came to grips with the reality that because of the inequities in the criminal justice system, a death sentence and execution will always raise some doubt. Even a resonable doubt is too much doubt when taking someone's life. I am aware, however, that many actual murderers have been executed for their crimes and this has brought some measure of closure for the victims' families.
I have to ask, though, how authentic can justice be if the wrong person is executed? As a juror, could you live with the reality you may have voted to have the state kill someone who did not commit the crime? These are the harsh realities of a penalty that has no "do over."
The point of my letter is not to debate whether the death penalty is right or wrong for society, but to raise questions about how and why it is implemented in such an arbitrary manner. If the system can be so sure that an individual is guilty that it would take his life, how then can so many doubts be raised years later? There is no room for an "oops" when the state practices taking away the God-given gift of life.
-- Floyd L. Watkins, Tampa
A miscarriage of justice
Re: The death penalty's fatal flaws
I read the investigative report on the Cantu case in the Houston Chronicle. It is a travesty of justice that the San Antonio police intimidated a witness to get revenge on Cantu for shooting and wounding a police officer in an unrelated incident and getting away with it.
This case was a miscarriage of justice, and the citizens of this country must do all they can to make sure that persons sentenced to death deserve that fate.
However, I am more concerned about the innocent people who are killed by murderers who are not executed and eventually get out of prison to kill again. This occurs hundreds of times for each person executed in error.
-- David Meyer, Bushnell
Torture deserves condemnation
Re: We mustn't lose ourselves in the face of this danger, Nov. 20.
Congratulations to Martin Dyckman for his excellent article on torture. It takes courage to tell it like it is.
In addition, some Christians who hesitate to voice a strong condemnation of torture, thinking it might make the world a safer, freer place, need to look in the mirror and repeat one of their favorite slogans: What would Jesus do?
-- Beverley Thorpe Combs, St. Petersburg
Dealing in stereotypes
Re: Gender's chaotic battlefield, by Robyn Blumner, Nov. 20. Just because a woman chooses to stay home and raise her family does not make her sub-human. Hundreds of woman I know choose to stay home and raise their families as opposed to letting day care and the public schools raise them. The homeschool movement is growing. These children are being raised and taught by intelligent women who feel the feminist movement sold them a bill of goods.
By Blumner's thinking, you have to be eye candy or have plastic surgery to attract a man. This is not moving forward slowly, this is a step backward. Many young woman I know today tell me they want to be "domestic engineers." They are not living off their husbands. They put many hours in to make theirs' a home of love and stability and to breathe life into their families. Are they choosing this because their mothers chose differently and are dissatisfied? Who knows? Blumner once again with her opinion has stereotyped a class of people. This is not journalism, this is prejudice.
-- Karen Underwood, Palm Harbor
The real postal customers
The people who complained about the Postal Service firing the letter carriers who refused to deliver the bulk mail, I would like to say that they may not realize that they are not the ultimate "customers" of the Postal Service in this situation.
The person who pays for the postage on that mail and presents it to the post office is the customer. It is surprising how many people make this mistake.
-- Paul L. Darr, St. Petersburg
Ben Stein's on the money
Re: His thoughts? Anyone? Interview with Ben Stein, Nov. 23.
Long live Ben Stein. He has a positive view point on the government and Wal-Mart. A recent Harvard study concluded that Wal-Mart did keep prices in check and the segment of the population that benefits the most are the buyers at the low end of the income levels.
It must be the in thing to bash our president and our country's largest employer. Thank you, Mr. Stein, for the truth.
-- Mary Partington, New Port Richey